Sacred Communication/Sacred Journey 2020

 According to the chapter "Kenosis as Prayer" in the Phenomenology of Prayer book it defines Kenosis and how it relates to prayer. Kenosis is defined as an emptying of one self. Paul wrote that Jesus emptied himself when he sent down his son to be killed. If we are called to Jesus we are also called to spiritual emptying. This requires removing all worldly desires from your life and spending more time in prayer for other. In this chapter it reminds us to focus on praying for others first which remind me of the Pope's five finger prayer. Thumb: This is the finger closest to you, therefore you pray for everyone that is close to you. For example family and friends Index finger: We often times use this finger to teach therefore you pray for any spiritual guides in your life or those who lead you in general.  Middle finger: This is the tallest finger therefore your pray for world or church leaders Ring finger: This is surprisingly the weakest finger therefore we pray of all th...

 What do we feel in dreams. I don't remember mine mostly, by have a deja vu feeling about them. I cannot describe how they were and can recall dreams from long ago if I come across a situation that subconsciously reminds me of the dream. I wonder if other cognitive processes are like this.

 When I am at church, I get a feeling that is fulfilling. I just feel happy and have purpose I cannot describe it. This fulfilling feeling helps me keep focus in life and helps me keep my faith.

 Back in October the bathroom light went out in my dorm. I had to shower in the dark. I knew where everything was. I could not see so it was automatic. I knew what I did but could not recall it.

 Earlier this year I went to the beach for a weekend. I saw crabs, and fish and pelacans. This allowed me to see a prespective I don't usualy see. The sand at jockeys ridge and the view of both sides of the island. This alowed me a break from school and alowed me to connect with nature.

 In the the Landscapes of the Sacred chapter 8 it explains the problems in articulating an American sense of sacred space. Americans are so often accustomed to change that they are even constantly moving. In this chapter it describe that even though Americans are constantly moving they still desire a sense of belonging in one place. A place where they are supported, understood, and In community with others.  However, this notion is challenging to find in a individualistic society. Although according to this chapter it explained that Americans fail to realize that the sacred space they are longing for is right in front of them. It is at church, at home, and wherever you look with new eyes. This concept of looking with new eyes was explained as the ability to see the holy masked in ordinary things. Over the past couple years I have lived mostly at Christopher Newport University with many trips to my childhood home in Charlottesville, Va. As each year passed I would come with a d...